Tone post for violins and similar musical instruments



.1. B. PATMOR 2,370,460

TONE POST FOR VIOLINS AND SIMILAR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Feb. 27, 1945.

Filed Deg. 51, 1942 Inventor Patented Feb. 27, 1945 TONE POST FOR,VIOLINS AND SIMILAR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS John Bell Patmor, Zion, Ill.

Application December 31, 1942, Serial No. 470,858

Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in toneposts for violins, guitars, mandolins and similar musical instrumentsand has for its primary object to provide a support in the body or soundbox of the violin positioned beneath the bridge to act as a supporttherefore and in which the tone post is constructed of material adaptedto yield to pressure subjected thereto by the bridge and thus improvethe flexibility, tone filtration and perceptible overtone by setting uptonal vibrations which have a tendency to improve the sound qualities ofthe instrument.

The invention further has for an object to act as a wooden springadapted to stringed instruments, which imparts the proper tensity to thesound post.

A further object is to provide a device of this character of simple andpractical construction, which is relatively inexpensive to manufactureand install in operative position in the musical instrument andotherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same. is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, wherein likenumerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through the sound box of aviolin showing the tone post in position therein. t

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on a line 2-2 of Figure1.

Figure 3 is a p rspective view of the tone post forming the subjectmatter of the present invention, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified tom of theinvention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail and with particular reference toFigures 1 to 3, inclusive, the numeral 5 designates the body or soundbox of a violin or similar musical instrument which includes the bridge6 having the strings 1 extending thereover.

The body 5 includes the top section 8 and bottom 9 to produce a hollowsound box in the usual manner and positioned in the box, immediatelybeneath the bridge 6 is a tone post designated generally at l0 which hasits bottom portion resting on the bottom 9 of the sound box and isformed with a tapering upper portion H on top of which is supported across head l2 and which includes a substantially U-shaped bottom portionhaving the upstanding columns I! p0si- 'tioned laterally outwardly fromthe opposite sides of the post and supported on the columns is arelatively thin, flat top member l4.

As shown to advantage in Figure 2 of the drawing the cross head l2extends transversely beneath the bridge 6 so that the bridge ispositioned transversely substantially over the unsupported center of thetop member I4. By reason of this construction pressure exerted on thebridge 6 by the strings I is subjected to the central portion of therelatively thin top H of the cross head l2 and thus provides limitedflexibility for the cross head.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive,the top ember I4 is constructed of a separate piece of materialadhesively or otherwise secured to the upper ends of the cross head l2whereas in Figure 4 of the drawing the cross head designated at H: isintegrally constructed.

The post HI is preferably constructed of sea soned spruce while thecross head [2 and to plate M are preferably constructed of bamboo.

By providing a post in the tone box for the bridge member of the violinor similar stringed musical instruments and in which the tone postembodies limited flexibility better tone qualities are found to beproduced when playing the instrument.

It is believed the details of construction, advantages and manner of useof the device will be readily understood from the foregoing withoutfurther detailed explanation.

Having described the invention, What I claim as new is:

1. A tone post for stringed musical instruments of a type including ahollow tone box and a bridge, said tone post comprising an uprightmember, a bottom cross-member at the top of the upright member,upstanding members at the end of the cross-member, and a topcross-member on the upper ends of the upstanding members, said topcross-member having its intermediate portion unsupported and positionedtransversely of the bridge and against the underside of the top of thetone box and adapted to yield to pressure of the bridge.

2. A tone post for stringed musical instruments of a type including ahollow tone boX and a bridge, said tone post comprising an uprightmember, upper and lower cross-members centered on top of the uprightmember, and columns spacing the cross-members apart, said upper crossmember being positioned transversely of the bridge and against theunderside of the top of the tone box,

and said upper cross-member being unsupported at its intermediateportion and yieldable to pressure of the bridge.

3. A tone post for stringed musical instruments of a type including ahollow tone box and a bridge, said tone post including a cross-headprojecting laterally at opposite sides of the top of the post and havinga yieldable intermediate portion and rigid end portions and arranged ina position with the cross-head centered beneath the bridge of theinstrument and transversely thereof;

4. A tone post for stringed musical instruments of a, type including ahollow tone box and a bridge, and a cross-head projecting laterally at15 opposite sides of the top of the post having a yieldable intermediateportion and rigid end portions and arranged in the tone box against thetop thereof in the region of the bridge and transversely thereof, saidcross-head being yieldable to pressure of the bridge.

5. A tone post for stringed musical instruments of a type including ahollow tone box'and a bridge and a cross-head projecting laterally atopposite sides of the top of the post and sup- 10 ported in the tone boxagainst the top thereof in the region of the bridge and transverselythereof, said head having an opening extending from side to side andincluding a top member rigidly supported at its end to provide ayieldable center responsive to pressure of the bridge.

JOHN BELL PATMOR.

